Sonia Friedman, Producer
What was it like being photographed by Rankin?
Well, he’s extraordinary. It was fantastically quick, efficient and I was very happy after 10 shots with what he did and out, it was great.
How did you get into being a producer?
I started about 30 years ago. I produced about 180 productions and I got into it as a young kid falling in love with theatre, initially thinking I was going to be a performer and then realising that actually I was far more excited by the whole mechanics and creativity of production from the genesis of creating a show from ideas, blank page to what ends up on the stage so I fell into initially stage management and then started to become a producer full-time about 25 years ago and I haven’t looked back.
What has been the best thing about theatre’s reopening?
The best thing about theatre’s reopening is obviously being all back together again, sharing stories, being able to reflect on what’s happened so far, but also to be able to have a sense of optimism about our future. And theatre is a community experience and that’s been denied us for the last 19 months so to be back together again in a shared space, sharing stories and communing is the most extraordinary, wonderful experience. And it took a pandemic for the industry and certainly for me to realise how important theatre is to our mental our social and our economic health in this country.